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NEOGOV · 2 months ago

FERC License Program Manager

Tacoma, WA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$170K/yr - $240K/yr

6+ years exp

City of Tacoma is seeking a strategic Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Program Manager to lead their hydropower licensing and compliance program. This role is pivotal in ensuring regulatory compliance and successful relicensing while shaping policy and driving collaboration with various stakeholders.

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Responsibilities

Lead Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and compliance program, providing strategic oversight for four active licenses and guiding upcoming relicensing, surrender, and transfer efforts

Develop and carry out long-term strategies that align licensing and compliance activities with Tacoma Power’s mission, financial priorities, and environmental commitments

Partner with executive leadership and the Senior Management Team to shape policy direction, address complex regulatory challenges, and ensure decisions are well-informed and defensible

Oversee program budgeting, forecasting, and staffing to ensure resources support long-term goals and regulatory obligations

Represent Tacoma Power in high-level negotiations with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as environmental and community organizations

Build cooperative, transparent relationships with regulators and policymakers to develop and implement license terms and operational agreements that balance reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship

Act as Tacoma Power’s primary liaison with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including its Division of Licensing and Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC)

Monitor federal and regional policy developments that may affect Tacoma Power’s hydropower operations and adapt strategies to stay ahead of evolving requirements

Direct all monitoring, reporting, and implementation efforts required by hydropower license conditions to ensure full and timely compliance

Maintain robust systems for tracking, documentation, and reporting that support transparency, audit readiness, and long-term institutional knowledge

Collaborate closely with the Dam Safety Workgroup and internal partners to ensure consistency and alignment across compliance and operational activities

Oversee payments to tribes and agencies, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and adherence to contractual commitments

Provide clear direction, mentorship, and support to a skilled team of program managers, engineers, and natural-resources professionals

Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement within the licensing team and across the broader Natural Resources section

Support professional growth through coaching, training, and performance feedback, strengthening both individual capability and organizational expertise

Collaborate across Tacoma Power divisions to integrate licensing objectives with operational, environmental, and policy initiatives

Serve as a visible ambassador for Tacoma Power’s hydropower licensing and environmental programs, communicating progress and outcomes to leadership, the Public Utility Board, and community stakeholders

Prepare and present reports, briefings, and technical materials that translate complex regulatory information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers

Uphold Tacoma Power’s reputation as a leader in sustainable hydropower generation and a responsible steward of the region’s natural resources

Qualification

FERC hydropower licensingRegulatory complianceStrategic oversightFinancial managementStakeholder engagementNegotiation skillsTeam developmentSystems thinkingLeadershipCommunication skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, economics, finance, accounting, engineering, project management, or a directly related field

Six (6) years of power industry experience directly related to the area of assignment, including 1 year of experience as a supervisor, manager, or SME

Deep understanding of FERC hydropower licensing, compliance reporting, and precedent-setting cases

Ability to connect complex regulatory, technical, and policy requirements into clear strategies that sustain hydropower operations and support long-term environmental and organizational goals

Proven success leading cross-functional teams of engineers, scientists, consultants, and policy professionals

Experienced in leading sensitive, high-stakes discussions with Tribes, agencies, and partner organizations

Strong record of establishing clear governance systems, performance metrics, and decision frameworks that ensure transparency, defensibility, and fiscal responsibility in large-scale public programs

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical and regulatory concepts into plain language for executive leadership, policymakers, and the public

Experienced in budgeting, cost forecasting, and resource allocation for multi-million-dollar programs

Dedication to Tacoma Power's mission of delivering clean, affordable energy while protecting regional ecosystems and fostering equitable, transparent relationships with the communities we serve

Preferred

Leadership in FERC hydropower licensing and compliance programs, including negotiation and implementation experience

Strategic oversight of large-scale regulatory or environmental initiatives, preferably within the power or energy sector

Experience collaborating with Tribes, regulatory agencies, and diverse stakeholder groups to achieve balanced and sustainable outcomes

Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical and policy teams, guiding complex programs from conception through long-term execution

Financial and operational acumen in managing multi-million-dollar budgets or portfolios tied to regulatory obligations

Benefits

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System.

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.